Change in the Air - Summer's End

Lots of change comes about this time of year. There's an almost mechanical end to summer that comes when back to school shopping begins. In Florida it's in the high 90's with crazy humidity, but for buyers, it's a time to move on to fall.

For my shop and business plans the season 'change' has brought a couple of changes that are 'huge' to me. First of all, I got a camera. A real DSLR type camera which I'm struggling to learn to use proficiently. Fall plans involve a photoshoot with real model(s) and I'm gearing up for that. I got a table for cutting out designs so I  can go forward with my limited edition gowns. So far I've only made one of a kind designs with a few custom gowns I've created in a similar style by request. I'm looking to make a limited number of each new design as it's created, probably retiring the designs as they are replaced by new ones.

I still plan on creating one of a kind gowns, but they will not be the main focus. I'm also getting set to create some limited edition fashion too, though it will be along later than the wedding designs.

Another big change for my shop is a new mannequin. She will help me model the pixie hemlines that don't show as well on many gowns. What I specifically wanted her for was accessories. I've been dreaming of making veils and fascinators along with other bridal things like cuffs, garters, lingerie and chokers. Sleeves on long sleeve gowns will finally be a possibility too, adding more designs to the fall and winter wedding options along with the shrugs and crop bolero jackets I'm already making. I'm even hoping to use her to show off swimwear, which is one of those things I'm considering in the resort wear and lingerie category. So far I've limited those designs since they are not workable on a dress form.

Excitement is in the air...and change. Feels like a fun fall !

Real Weddings - Isle of Bonaire

Recently Stephanie, one of my brides, got married in Bonaire. I had never heard of it, so I had to look it up to see where it was located. Turns out it's in the Caribbean and is part of the Netherlands. Uniquely, the currency is the US Dollar, which happily makes shopping there a simpler task. It's a haven for snorkeling and scuba diving...and is beautiful !! No wonder they picked it for a gorgeous wedding and honeymoon destination. It's a lovely place to get away from it all - to de-stress and wake up late and feel sand between your toes :) I loved how romantic the photos turned out !

 

Spring Weddings - Trends for 2014

Icy Blue Metallic Gown @ Honor Spring 2014

There are many ideas being thrown about for weddings for Spring 2014. Lots of runway designers this season featured icy pastels and metallics in their shows for spring 2014, so they are a pretty good bet to show up in weddings soon.  

Cool Blush Vintage Gown@Keira Knightley

From pale blue, cool blush to cooler green, ecru and creams, icy pastels will be great for spring wedding designs. This is a cooler palette than a lot of the more tropical hues from the last year - such as mint and coral.

Icy Green @ Wes Gordon Spring 2014

Metallics is another trend that allows a bit of glamour for brides to indulge in coppery, golden, silver and platinum hues. This includes metallic decoration as well as metallic shades in fabrics. This would also be easily carried into decor with coppery and bronze accents.

Metallic fabrics and trim @ Tory Burch Spring 2014

Ombre is a not really new trend, but still shows signs of continuing for a while. This includes bridal and bridesmaid gowns and decorations.

Ombre Bridal Gown @ Gwen Stephani

Another emerging wedding dress and bridal party trend is white and ecru dresses for brides and bridesmaids. This includes everyone wearing white (or the same color) as well as tonal colors, such as the bride in white and bridesmaids in ecru - or the reverse.

Bridal party in Ecru @ Coco Rocha

Floral crowns are again popular as are handmade, crochet and rustic wedding designs.

Floral Crowns & Vintage Inspired Gowns@BHLDN

Another trend, which has been getting attention for quite awhile is rustic - from settings to decor to dresses. This is a big trend still, and lots of brides are waiting to get a chance to wear their cowboy boots and dance in the grass with their grooms.

Rustic Barn Setting with Print Decor @ HGTV

Prints are another great trend that can work for mismatched bridesmaids dresses, accents and parts or all of the wedding dress or simply tablecloths for the reception. If you are a print lover, this may be the best season for indulging !! With a rustic barn or farm type reception, it would be hard to overdo the prints - although it's possible !

Mason Jars @ The Tomcat Studio

This rustic trend works well with another theme, the Retro 50's Garden Party, which would look great with print mismatched bridesmaid gowns and rustic or mid-century modern decor touches. It's a fun look to pair with colorful wedding dresses if you are a lover of pink or other colorful shades.

Pink Wedding Dress - Wispy Chic Designs

Pixie Dress - Wispy Chic Designs

Blue Fairy Wedding Dress - Wispy Chic Designs

Another great trend is the French wedding - either a Paris inspired or a French Country look. These are great for adding in those romantic decor items you've wanted. With French country, you can also add a bit of the colorful table wear and mix it with some French linens and decor items for a wider look. This allows you the choice of adding the bistro or Paris-influenced style to the reception.This is a great choice for shorter wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses.

French Country Linens and Decor @ HGTV

Paris Inspired Gown and Decor@BHLDN

Another trend that is big is variations on the wedding cake - from a tower of doughnuts to 'naked cakes', the wedding cake is seeing some new looks. Photobooths are favorites with wedding guests, allowing brides and grooms to get really fun pics of their friends in addition to the normal posed shots at weddings...which are seldom flattering.

Donut Tower Wedding Cake @ BHLDN

To Recap: For Spring 2014, great bets are rustic and vintage inspired weddings with handmade touches, natural accents and cool pastel colors for attendants. Garden party looks with retro themes abound along with a continued focus on natural and handmade touches both in clothing and decor. Romantic touches include classic 50s glam looks like Grace Kelly and metallics in fashion and decor. Unexpected touches like photobooths, donut towers instead of cakes and unusual locations like Paris themed weddings make Spring 2014 a fun and inspiring wedding season.


Many more ideas for wedding decor and trends for Spring come from this article@hgtv from and this one@elle, from which many of the pictures in this blog come. Enjoy planning for Spring weddings !